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Quinoa Loaf

I am an ovo-lacto-vegetarian but that does not mean that I don't enjoy a cleansing and balanced vegan meal a few times a week. I recently received a complimentary copy of Ellen Jaffe Jones' Eat Vegan on $4 a Day. As food prices rise, it is the time to get smart and be a budget conscious shopper. Obviously the first step is to avoid processed foods, as well as packaged and canned foods as much as possible. It is also important to eat a variety of legumes, whole grains, vegetables and fruit. So many tips for saving money and your health are provided in this cookbook.

Ms. Jones also asks something in return: "Promise me that the next time you see a news story about how people on tight budgets can only afford processed or fast foods, you will contact the station and let them know how wrong they are. Tell them Au Contraire! Let me show you a different way."

I am absolutely smitten with the array of healthy and easy to prepare recipes. Weekly menu plans, breakfasts, soups, salads and dressings, lovely entrees, spreads and sides, and guilt-free desserts and snacks. These innovative recipes from around the globe are such a bargain if you follow these tips: plan your grocery list and use your head, don't go shopping when your belly is growling, check unit prices, buy in bulk but make sure you are getting the best price, stock up on staples that won't spoil when you can find them at a good price, be aware of prominently displayed foods as grocery stores tend to put the most expensive items at eye level and at the front of the store, and buy local if possible or better yet grow your own when the season is right.

The first dish I tried from this cookbook was a Save-Cash Quinoa Loaf. Full of healthy grains, chickpeas and veggies, this hearty loaf is just delicious served with some salsa, hot sauce or ketchup. Ms. Jones tells us that any leftover slices go well in a sandwich or stuffed into pita breads. I found serving a spicy vegetable dish alongside the loaf was especially satisfying.

Rinse the chickpeas and soak overnight in several inches of cold water with a little yogurt whey or lemon juice added. Separately, rinse the quinoa and soak overnight in 1 1/3 cups of cold water in a small saucepan. Separately as well, soak the rolled oats in 1 cup of cold water.

Drain the chickpeas and cover with several inches of fresh water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour or until tender. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, bring the quinoa to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

While the chickpeas are cooking, soak the sun-dried tomatoes and dried mushrooms in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes, then drain and chop. Set aside.

Grease an 8-inch loaf pan with olive oil and preheat an oven to 350°. In a wok or skillet, combine a tablespoon of water with the fresh mushrooms over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes. Add two more tablespoons of water and when it evaporates, remove the mushrooms from the heat and transfer to a large bowl.

In a food processor, pulse together the chickpeas and soaked oats. Place in a large mixing bowl and add the mushrooms, quinoa, peas, parsley, thyme, sun-dried tomatoes and dried mushrooms, onion, jalapeños, cayenne, ground cumin, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine. Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan and evenly spread it out. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until firm and golden. Let the loaf cool for about 10 to 15 minutes, slice and serve.

39 comments:

I'm a long-time devotee of your recipes, moved to comment / delurk because I would LOVE a chance to win that book! Thanks for all the inspiration and practical information you provide. E-mail is kskatiesykes@gmail.com

I have been working my way through your blog for about a year. I started soon after I chose a GF-vegan lifestyle (after being veggie for 11 yrs) and realized how accommodating Indian food is to it. Thank you much for the opportunity to win such a delightful book, Jessica, holeyjess@gmail.com

I would love to expand my vegan cooking prowess and cut down on the cost of food. I spend the money, but I would really like to spend a little less on food. And I love the sounds of the Quinoa loaf. Yum!

This looks very good.One of my coworker told me once 'You must be rich, to eat only veggies'.

I am also told many times that it takes a lot of work to plan, prepare vegan healthy food at home.I agree that I spent about 20 hours per week on shopping, cleaning and cooking. But I also feel that I am feeding my family and making kids taste preference now.

This looks awesome! I have a budding vegetarian cookbook collection and would love to add a vegan book. I am on a month long cleanse and have found eating vegan/macrobiotic is not as hard as it sounds! my blog is www.cassandjay.com or cassidyheller@gmail.com

This looks amazing! I would drizzle Sriracha all over it and it would be delicious. I would even eat it for breakfast. This is definitely going to be one of my culinary adventures in the next week. I would also love to win that book. It would be great to have all those recipes right on hand!

My long-time boyfriend's mom is convinced that the only reason we can be vegetarians/vegans is because we have money and that it's just not an option for the majority of people. I would love to show her this book next time we get together! Email is harmonybear10@gmail.com

I'm glad to discover your blog.........some really healthy recipes out here.I love vegetarian food.....would love to have a copy of this book.Please drop in at my space http://sadaf-culinaryadventures.blogspot.com

Based in London, Ontario, a veteran vegetarian for 22 years serves up a collection of delicious culinary creations from her kitchen, with an emphasis on spicy Indian dishes and whole foods. If you want to know what sensible vegetarians eat, Lisa's Kitchen is the place to be.